Health-related quality of life and utilities in primary-care patients with generalized anxiety disorder.
BACKGROUND
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is prevalent and significantly impacts patient health-related quality of life (HRQL) and disability.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effect of GAD and anxiety symptom severity on the HRQL of primary-care patients with GAD.


METHODS
Patients 18 years or older with GAD were recruited from an integrated health care delivery system. Clinical assessments included the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), GAD Questionnaire-IV (GAD-Q-IV), and the Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ). HRQL was assessed by the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), SF-12 Health Survey (SF-6D), and the Health Utilities Index (HUI2, HUI3).


RESULTS
The sample included 297 patients, 72% women with mean +/- standard deviation (SD) age of 47.6 +/- 13.7 years. At baseline, the mean HAM-A score was 16.8 +/- 7.6 (suggesting the presence of moderate anxiety symptoms). Anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly correlated with mental component summary (MCS), Q-LES-Q-SF, SDS, SF-6D, HUI2, and HUI3 scores (all P < 0.001). The mean HRQL and all of the preference-based measures varied significantly by anxiety severity groups (all P < 0.001). Anxiety and depression symptoms significantly predicted HRQL and preference-based scores (R(2) values ranged from 0.22 to 0.57).


CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety symptoms reported by GAD patients resulted in significant impairment to HRQL and functional outcomes.
Revicki
Dennis A
DA
Center for Health Outcomes Research, United Biosource Corporation, 7101 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Dennis.Revicki@unitedbiosource.com
Brandenburg
Nancy
N
Matza
Louis
L
Hornbrook
Mark C
MC
Feeny
David
D
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index